Steelers may sue Pittsburgh because of game day
casino traffic

The Pittsburgh Steelers' president Art Rooney
II is considering a lawsuit if the city does not conduct a
comprehensive study of a proposed casino traffic.

The new Majestic Star Casino, which would be
build and run by PITG Gaming LLC, will be the first slot machine
facility in Pittsburgh. The Pennsylvania Gambling Control Board
actually has not formally issued the casino license yet, as two
of the loosing bidders have filed complains and are appealing
the Gambling Board's decision. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is
set to hear the appeals on May 15th.

Steelers President Art Rooney II is becoming
very concerned as city planners move to give the casino's master
plan final approval without studying the impact the new facility
will have on game days. Rooney's family owns Yonkers Raceway
outside New York City, and Art Rooney II says that he is very
familiar with casino traffic, and that a study must be conducted
before the casino building plans are approved. He fears casino
traffic could double exit times for some fans leaving Heinz
Field on game days, especially those heading across the West End
Bridge.

City transportation planner Sidney Kaikai
claims that there is not enough time to conduct a comprehensive
study of the Majestic Star Casino traffic if the casino is to
open as scheduled in the summer of 2008.

Casino planers were scheduled to discuss the
casino's master plan on Tuesday, but that meeting was cancelled,
and waiting for the results of an expanded traffic study, the
commission members plan to discuss the casino at their meeting
on May 29th.